24th September, 2010
Sequel to the threat by the two oil workers’ unions in Rivers State, South South Nigeria, to embark on strike if the state government starts implementing the controversial Social Services Contributory Law 2010, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has appealed to trade unions and professional bodies in the state to accept the law as a way of contributing towards alleviating the plight of the less privileged in society.
Governor Amaechi made the appeal when he attended the Joint Zonal Council meeting of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Port Harcourt on the invitation of the leadership of the unions to further dialogue on the law.
Governor Amaechi, who lamented the level of poverty among the people, said what was of paramount concern to government was the sustainability of the projects after his tenure of office, emphasizing that the focus was to distance the management of the schools from government control.
The governor therefore requested that members of PENGASSAN and NUPENG should look for credible members of their unions to be appointed into the Board that would manage the funds, stressing that what government wants was free education and free healthcare delivery for all.
Governor Amaechi, who later took members of the unions round the new model Primary School and new Health Centre at Elekahia, and the new model Secondary School at Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area, said 350 out of the proposed 750 model primary schools were being built in the first phase, while the model secondary school is being built in all the 23 local government areas of the state.
Respondents who spoke on the side of NUPENG/PENGASSAN during the inspection said they were proud of the present administration for its vision and high level of commitment towards the development of infrastructure in the state.
Meanwhile, the seat of the state government has been ‘rattled’as Governor Amaechi tries to position his loyalists in key elective positions for next year’s election.
This follows the resignation of Mr. Magnus Abe, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to contest the Rivers South-East Senatorial seat to slug it out with Lee Maeba, who gunning for the fourth term. Another top official of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s government is the Chief of Staff, Nyesom Wike gunning for the Rivers East Senatorial District. He is squaring it up with the incumbent, Senator George Sekibo.
The Attorney-General of the State and Commissioner of Justice, Ken Chikere, an Ikwerre, is taking a shot at the House of Representatives.
The Works Commissioner, Dakuku Peterside, a member of Amaechi’s kitchen cabinet from Opobo/ Nkoro is also set to turn in his resignation to contest for the House of Representatives.
His Environment Commissioner, Kingsley Chinda is for House of Representatives, Emmanuel Chinda Commissioner for Agriculture and the Health Commissioner, Dr Sampson Parker, are for State House of Assembly, While Marshal Uwon, Commissioner for Housing will be gunning for House of Representatives.
Dr. Dawari Peterside, Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, one of the youngest Commissioners in Amaechi’s cabinet, is also gunning for House of Reprentatives. He is from Buguma, headquarters of Asari Toru Local Government Area.
From the Tai, Eleme, Oyigbo Federal Constituency, Marcus Nle-eji, Commissioner for Culture is also gunning for the constituency ticket.
Barry Mpigi, Chairman of Tai local Government,will slug it out with Olaka Wogu who has represented the constituency for the third time, while Victor Giadom Chairman of Gokana Local Government Council is set to slug it out with Emmanuel Deeyah, representative of Gokona/Khana Federal Constituency for a third term.
Tonye Harry, the Speaker who has been Deputy Speaker and Speaker for the third time is also going back to the state House of Assembly to represent the Degema constituency.
P.M.NEWS learnt that since the extension of time for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Primaries some of the commissioners are withholding their resignation.
It was also learnt that Governor Amaechi is positioning himself strong to have a full grip of the political structure in the state to edge out the Abuja politicians who have been opposing his government.
—Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt